Tahoe

There's probably nothing better than the mountains in summer. The days are hot and sunny and the nights are cool with that perfect temperature for sleeping in a tent. Lake Tahoe really comes alive in the summer months with various outdoor sports and special events. Even though this list could go on ad infinitum, we narrowed it down to the top 50.

With its strong Sierra sun, enticing shoreline, and stunning natural beauty, Lake Tahoe just may embody the perfect locale for a summer mountain getaway. Whether you're looking for a picturesque beach from which to take a swim or paddle, a secluded cove for some clothing optional bathing, or a panoramic trail that is sure to get the heart rate going, Lake Tahoe has you covered this summer.

With so much to see and do in Lake Tahoe, sometimes it's nice to have a few go-to adventures that everyone in your group will really enjoy. Here is our list of easy, beautiful, and fun outdoor adventures in Tahoe.

Playing in Reno used to mean hitting some of the gaming tables or pulling a few slot handles, but now, hanging out in the Biggest Little City can mean jumping on giant trampolines, hunting for vintage clothing, and braving the world’s tallest climbing wall while dangling over the Reno Arch. Here's where to climb, bike, and shop on your next trip to Nevada.

If watching the movie Wild made you want to strap on a backpack and hit the Pacific Crest Trail, then head to Tahoe this summer for some quick overnight treks to satiate your wanderlust. If you're new to the sport, these five backpacking trails will challenge you, but also reveal the best places around the lake to pitch a tent and take a nap during a long summer weekend.

This summer, stargazers are invited to experience the night sky with Tahoe Star Tours at the new mountainside viewing venue at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. On the open meadow in The Backyard of the resort, guests will learn about the night sky and have the opportunity to view various constellations and intergalactic objects through high-powered Celestron telescopes with personalized service offered by The Ritz-Carlton staff.

Reno isn’t called Artown for nothin’. The city mostly known for its gaming is blooming with Burning Man sculptures, murals, Broadway musicals, and bluegrass music. The Nevada Museum of Art and its Center for Art + Environment was recently awarded a 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and will soon have one of the best views in Reno from its new Sky Room. Art in all its forms is now woven through the fabric of the city in unexpected ways.

As San Franciscans, we've all been to Tahoe—skiing in the winter, Truckee River in the summer, and all kinds of adventures in between. As the snow melts and more trails open up, it’s the perfect time to pack the car, head east, and do some hiking around our favorite crystal blue lake.

There are many things you may not know about the Biggest Little City. For one, the locavore and microfarming philosophies championed in the Bay Area have reached this mountain town, where sushi lunches, food trucks (and bikes!), and curry and basil ice cream are now a thing. Here are the best places to chow down in Reno.